Serena Williams launches new project with special Aussie connection

UPDATE: Tennis legend Serena Williams has revealed an unexpected side in an striking Aussie ad.

The sporting champion shows off her incredible singing voice in Berlei's new campaign for Breast Cancer Awareness Month which she posted to her Instagram account.

Williams, 36, lent her voice to the 'I Touch Myself' project, which features famous faces singing along to the Divinyls hit of the same name.

The project came about after the death of frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett, who died from the disease.

"Yes, this put me out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to do it because it's an issue that affects all women of all colors, all around the world," she wrote on Instagram along with a video of her singing.

"Early detection is key - it saves so many lives. I just hope this helps to remind women of that."

In 2013 Amphlett was just 53 and the music legend had also been living with multiple sclerosis for some time.

The following year, some of Australia's biggest female stars took part in the 'I Touch Myself' project including Olivia Newton John, Kate Ceberano, Suze DeMarchi and Amphlett's cousin, Little Pattie.

Amphlett was passionate about spreading awareness of the importance of early detection and wanted the band's biggest hit to be adapted as an anthem for breast health.

Divinyls frontwoman Chrissy Amphlett performing in 1991. (Getty)

Williams' version of the 1990 classic will be released in full on Sunday.

The video is directed by Grammy-nominated Daniel Askill, with the campaign to run across TV, print, and online.

The campaign was created by J. Walter Thompson Sydney and Berlei, which Williams discovered during the 2006 Australian Open, according to the company. She's now one of its most high-profile ambassadors.

"Serena is a passionate believer in women taking care of themselves and, although she has never recorded a song before, chose to sing this breast health anthem as a powerful reminder of the importance of self-examination," says Simon Langley, of J. Walter Thompson Sydney.

"Getting young women to pay attention to a breast cancer message isn’t easy. But grabbing their attention with the things they love is.

"So we decided to start this important conversation by speaking to some of their greatest passions: music, sport and celebrity. And Serena is no ordinary celebrity.

"She's a strong, powerful ambassador who is not afraid to stand up and make herself heard on the issues close to her heart."

Berlei has also released a limited-edition snakeskin printed bra, The Chrissy – named after the iconic rocker. The bra is printed on the inside with the words, 'I Touch Myself' to remind women to regularly examine their breasts.